MPR’s Capitol View reports that Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, said the measure will help modernize the state’s voting system and bring integrity back to that system.

“The public deserves to have confidence in the integrity of our election system,” Limmer said. “And nothing inspires confidence like a well-ordered system that’s secure and safe for the voter, and photo identification would certainly accomplish that.”

A veto would slow, but not end the photo ID effort. Republican supporters have already introduced legislation to put the issue on the statewide ballot in 2012 as a proposed constitutional amendment. That process bypasses the governor and gives voters the power to approve the requirement.

About the blogger

Alex Friedrich reports on higher education issues for MPR News. Among the stories he has covered: the fall of the Berlin Wall, aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, 2003 Moscow suicide bombing and 2004 presidential elections in the Republic of Georgia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and a master’s in European political economy from the London School of Economics.